WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson men's soccer sophomores Joe Strawman (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) and Julian Valerio (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) led a list of four Pioneers selected to the 2008 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Metro Region Team, as each earned first-team honors Dec. 11. In addition, junior goalkeeper Dan Peragallo (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) received a berth on the All-Metro Second Team, and sophomore back/midfielder Chris Belan (Howell, N.J./Freehold Twp.) was named to the All-Metro Third Team for the second straight year.

Strawman, a member of this fall's All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) First Team, posted season totals of three goals and two assists for eight points, despite missing nine matches due to injury. The sophomore back helped direct a Pioneer defense that tied for second in the conference in goals allowed (21) and was third in goals-against average (0.91).

Valerio, named to the All-NJAC First Team, led William Paterson with 18 assists and 38 points this season, adding 10 goals. The sophomore forward led the conference in assists and assists/game (0.86, third in Division III), was tied for first in points/game (1.81, 42nd in NCAA), tied for second in points, seventh in goals and eighth in goals/game (0.48). Valerio was named the NJAC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 8 and Oct. 20 and the ECAC Metro Region Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 21, and established a new single-season assists record when he recorded his 16th of the year on Nov. 1.

Peragallo, an honorable-mention all-NJAC pick this season, started all 22 matches in goal and was tied for second in the NJAC in save percentage (.841, 41st in Division III) and saves (111), fourth in shutouts (seven) and fifth in goals-against average (0.95). The NJAC and ECAC Metro Region Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 15 and Sept. 29, Peragallo was one shy of matching the William Paterson single-season shutout record of eight.

A second-team all-NJAC pick this fall, Belan started 21 of 22 matches this season and scored a goal for the Pioneers. He helped direct a William Paterson defense that tied for second in the conference in goals allowed (21) and was third in goals-against average (0.91).

William Paterson won the 2008 ECAC Metro Region Tournament title, and finished the season with a 13-5-4 overall record and a 5-3-1 slate in NJAC play.